Ferrule transfer method and ferrule holder

Abstract

A built-in optical fiber of a ferrule has one end of the built-in optical fiber matched with a splicing end surface, and the other end of the built-in optical fiber protruded from an end portion opposite to the splicing end surface and one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced are placed so as to be fusion-sliced with one another. After that, the ferrule is held by inserting a cylindrical portion of the ferrule into a holding unit of a ferrule holder from the splicing end surface. The ferrule is transferred while holding a stem extended on an opposite side of the holding unit of the ferrule holder and the splicing optical fiber.

1. A ferrule transfer method of transferring a ferrule to a fusion-spliced portion reinforcing service, the ferrule including a splicing end surface in which one end of a built-in optical fiber matches, and an end portion from which the other end of the built-in optical fiber is protruded in a direction opposite to the splicing end surface, and the other end of the built-in optical fiber being spliced to one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced to the built-in optical fiber at a fusion-splicing operation unit of a fusion-splicing device, the ferrule transfer method comprising:
 providing a holding unit and a stem that compose a ferrule holder, the holding unit being configured to hold a cylindrical portion of the ferrule, and the stem being configured to be attached to the holding unit such that the stem extends in a direction opposite to a side of the holding unit at which the ferrule is held; 
 inserting the cylindrical portion of the ferrule into the holding unit from the splicing end surface; 
 holding the ferrule at the holding unit such that the splicing optical fiber protrudes in an opposite direction to the stem; and 
 transferring the ferrule by holding the stem and the splicing optical fiber.